Alarms and Discursions
by G. K. Chesterton
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Thoughts on anarchists, sightseeing, cheese, and more from "one of the finest essayists to ever grace the English language" (Joseph Pearce, author of Twelve Great Books). Renowned for his prolific writing--everything from philosophy screeds to detective fiction--G. K. Chesterton had a worldview like no other, one that inspires thinkers to this day. In this collection of writings, he shares his thoughts on a diverse array of topics, making no apologies for his leaps from one subject to show more another. He's not afraid to get into the down and dirty of everyday life. Of his essays--on futurists, telegraph poles, kinds of men, and more sundry subjects--he writes: "This row of shapeless and ungainly monsters which I now set before the reader does not consist of separate idols cut out capriciously in lonely valleys or various islands. These monsters are meant for the gargoyles of a definite cathedral. I have to carve the gargoyles, because I can carve nothing else; I leave to others the angels and the arches and the spires." Praise for the writing of G. K. Chesterton: "If you, reader of this volume, are fortunate enough to have contact with young readers of our own day, do, I implore you, introduce them to the essay form--and there is no better place to start than with G. K. Chesterton." --Aidan Mackey, author of G. K. Chesterton: A Prophet for the 21st Century "He is a teacher who paints with words. Each of his essays is both a lesson and a work of art." --Dale Ahlquist, author of G. K. Chesterton: Apostle of Common Sense show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Chesterton is a riot, just as funny today as he was a century ago. This collection of essays covers everything from the new motor vehicles to Dickens. I love that you can almost hear Chesterton's voice reeling off these excellent opinions.
There are a few rather good essays, but several rather poor ones too; overall the collection is well below the level of, say, Tremendous Trifles.
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Author Information
803+ Works 59,486 Members
Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in London, England, in 1874. He began his education at St Paul's School, and later went on to study art at the Slade School, and literature at University College in London. Chesterton wrote a great deal of poetry, as well as works of social and literary criticism. Among his most notable books are The Man Who Was show more Thursday, a metaphysical thriller, and The Everlasting Man, a history of humankind's spiritual progress. After Chesterton converted to Catholicism in 1922, he wrote mainly on religious topics. Chesterton is most known for creating the famous priest-detective character Father Brown, who first appeared in "The Innocence of Father Brown." Chesterton died in 1936 at the age of 62. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- Alarms and Discursions
- Original title
- Alarms and Discursions
- Original publication date
- 1910
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Fiction and Literature, Religion & Spirituality
- DDC/MDS
- 808 — Literature & rhetoric Literature, rhetoric & criticism Rhetoric and collections of literary texts from more than two literatures
- LCC
- PR4453 .C4 .A62 — Language and Literature English English Literature 19th century , 1770/1800-1890/1900
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 85
- Popularity
- 373,742
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.81)
- Languages
- English, Italian, Portuguese (Portugal), Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 36
- ASINs
- 8
